UPDATE: August 2, 2025 2:52 p.m.
Clare Boyle, the niece of Anaconda shooting suspect Michael Brown, provided a written statement about her uncle after NonStop Local’s DJ Bauer reached out.
Her full statement can be found below. NonStop Local is reaching out to the Veterans Affairs for a statement.
Boyle started by writing Brown “is a very mentally ill veteran” and wrote about the events leading up to the shooting.
She also expressed “remorse and heartbreak” for the families affected and clarified that she doesn’t know much about his whereabouts other than what the police know.
NonStop Local is working on following up with organizations mentioned in her statement.
The Boyle’s written statement can be read in full below.
“We don’t know much right now unfortunately apart from what the police know.. My uncle is a very mentally ill veteran. He served in the army and was sent home a sergeant. He had developed schizophrenia during his time in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then he joined the National Guard where he was not allowed to be deployed again due to his mental illness.. Mikee hasn’t been the same since he came back.. It’s been progressively worse with the passing of both parents and exceedingly worse since the trauma of my grandmas passing (his mother)… The VA turned us away stating that they weren’t able to help. The Montana state Hospital turned us away because they only accept patients who are court ordered which could not happen unless “He becomes a harm to self or others”. The system failed.. We as people failed.. Failed to report suspicious behavior because “that’s just Mikee” patrons of the bar urinating on his porch and mocking his delusions to get a rise out of him because they know it will… You deal with that long enough… With a mental illness? Horrible things are going to happen. We begged people to listen and open their eyes.. 99% of the time Mikee is harmless. You can ask almost anyone in town. If you’re not mocking his delusions or being awful towards him he is one of the best people… I don’t know what happened Thursday night to provoke this and I don’t know what happened Friday morning to push this… what I do know is no amount of words or apologies will ever be enough to express the remorse and heartbreak I personally feel for these families effected. 5 families were destroyed on Friday morning.. This town will take a long time to recover from such losses of our community… My uncle frequently suffers from delusions and “tall tales”. He mostly believes he is John Wick. Only he is sent here from the future to save the world and his family. My uncle doesn’t drink anymore or use drugs because “They block my wizard powers”.. I just want him to be found safely and receive the help we’ve been screaming for… This is a man who taught me how to ride a bike, how to fish, swim, play football and baseball. The man who drove an hour and a half to have lunch with me when I was away at college because I was home sick and didn’t want to be there anymore. He’s a human being. A very sick one at that. There are no excuses or words of defense for this awful tragedy… Mental illness does not excuse these acts and I can’t say it enough… But these acts could have been prevented with proper reporting and a healthcare system that gave a damn about its veterans and citizens.”
UPDATE: August 2, 2025 1:57 p.m.
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Chief Bill Sather released a statement that it is ok for people in Anaconda to go about their day as normal.
However, he advised them to still use caution and to report anything suspicious to 911.
He also expressed condolences for the friends and family of the people who were killed in the shooting.
“The impact of a loss like this is felt far and wide in a community like ours. We’re keeping everyone affected in our thoughts and prayers,” he said.
You can listen to his full statement here.
UPDATE: August 2, 2025 10:27 a.m.
Due to safety concerns and law enforcement presence, Garrity Mountain Wildlife Management Area is closed until further notice, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Montana DCI has also released a new photo of Michael Brown fleeing the scene.
UPDATE: August 2, 2025 9:40 a.m.
Law enforcement are still searching for Anaconda shooter Michael Brown according to Chase Scheuer, press secretary for Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen.
Scheuer said that the search is focused on the area off of Stumptown Road, both in the ground and in the air. Multiple local, state and federal agencies are involved.
He confirmed that a bartender and three patrons died in the shooting at The Owl Bar yesterday. Brown lived next door to the location.
UPDATE: August 1, 2025 9:29 p.m.
The Granite County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) has released an updated photo of the suspect, 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown.
The GCSO reported that law enforcement have established a perimeter around the stumptwon area of Anaconda. Deputies are also set to patrol the Georgetown Lake area and surrounding towns throughout Friday night.
Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and lock the doors to their homes and cars. According to the GCSO, there is no immediate threat in the Granite County area at this time.
UPDATE: August 1, 2025 4:13 p.m.
Four people are confirmed dead at The Owl Bar in Anaconda according to the Montana Department of Justice.
The department reports the shooting happened around 10:30 am Friday and the scene is now secure.
Law enforcement are still looking for Michael Paul Brown who is believed to be armed west of anaconda near Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road.
Anyone in the area is asked to stay away as law enforcement searches for Brown.
UPDATE: August 1, 2025 2:38 p.m.
Anaconda is currently on lockdown, according to Butte-Silver Bow Emergency Management.
“Please avoid the area and remain sheltered until an official all-clear is issued,” they wrote.
UPDATE: August 1, 2025 2:31 p.m.
Several businesses in the Anaconda area have posted that they will remain closed until the active shooter situation is resolved, including the Anaconda Leader, Anaconda Oxygen Service and The Laketown.
Dr. Mary Ellen Burton, owner of Optimal Life Chiropractic in Anaconda, sheltered in her workplace after she received a text from a friend telling her there was an active shooter. Minutes later, she said that she saw seven black SUVs with police sirens flying down 3rd Street.
Burton said that she was given alerts about the shooter on Facebook.
“It’s so scary and so real,” she said. “I’m shocked and my heart is pounding, and I just can’t believe that in a little town like Anaconda something like this could happen.”
UPDATE: August 1, 2025 2:10 p.m.
Montana Congressman Troy Downing made a statement on Twitter as police continue the search for the active shooter in Anaconda.
“Terrible news today out of Anaconda. Praying for those involved and our law enforcement officers in harm’s way as they work toward a swift resolution,” he wrote.
UPDATE: August 1, 2025 2:08 p.m.
The suspect in the Anaconda active shooting has been identified as 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown.
Butte-Silver Bow County Sheriff Ed Lester reports Brown was last seen driving a 2007 white Ford F-150 with Montana plates DTY493.
Lester warns that Brown is believed to be armed and is extremely dangerous.
Anyone who may see Brown or his truck is told to call law enforcement immediately.
Multiple people are confirmed dead at The Owl Bar in Anaconda.
UPDATE: August 1, 2025 1:46 p.m.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has confirmed that multiple people were shot at an Anaconda business and tat they are responding to the shooting.
UPDATE: August 1, 2025 1:38 p.m.
The Granite County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect’s home in Anaconda has been cleared and that they are still at large.
People are being told to avoid the Anaconda area and to stay vigilant.
If you see an suspicious activity, you can report it to the Granite County Sheriff’s Office.
UPDATE: August 1, 2025 1:13 p.m.
Montana leadership are commenting as officials look for the active shooter in Anaconda.
Senator Steve Daines stated he is “Closely monitoring the active shooter situation in Anaconda with local authorities.”
Governor Greg Gianforte also said he is monitoring the situation, adding: “Please join Susan and me in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the brave law enforcement officers responding to this tragedy.”
UPDATE: August 1, 2025 1:10 p.m.
County officials have been going door to door asking businesses to shelter in place.
3rd Avenue is completely shut down.
DEER LODGE COUNTY, Mont. – There is an active shooter in Anaconda Deer Lodge, says the Granite County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooter is said to be wearing a tye-dyed shirt, blue jeans and an orange bandana.
There is a heavy law enforcement presence west of Anaconda near Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road, says Montana Highway Patrol. They added that authorities are looking for a suspect who they believe is armed.
Granite County Sheriff said that a white-F150 was pursued and stopped in Deer Lodge County but was not the suspect.
They asked the public to avoid the area.
Granite County deputies are at the Georgetown Lake and Flint Creek area. They said that there is no threat to Granite County.
Original article posted August 1, 2025 12:56 p.m.
